The father of missing Belgian backpacker Theo Hayez broke down in tears as he made an emotional appeal for help find his son, who went missing in NSW more than two weeks ago.
Laurent Hayez told a press conference at Tweed Heads Police Station on Monday that he was grateful for the support of the Byron community and all those who had been involved in the search for Theo.
“I promised Theo’s little brother, Lucas, that I would bring his brother home,” he said through tears.
“Please, help me keep my promise to him.
“People have the power, let love rule.”
The young traveller was last seen leaving the Cheeky Monkey’s bar in Byron Bay about 11pm on May 31.
He was caught on CCTV footage earlier that night about 7.45pm buying alcohol in a bottleshop.
But they are the only two confirmed sightings of Mr Hayez, who was preparing to return home after eight months travelling around Australia.
He was reported missing on June 6 when he failed to return to his hostel and couldn’t be contacted.
His father arrived in Australia late last week and spent the weekend helping with the search, which has been concentrated around the Byron Bay lighthouse.
My Hayez appealed for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
“Guys, if you have any information and if you do not want to deal with the cops, or if you are afraid to come forward, please make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000,” he said.
In particular, Mr Hayez says they are keen to gain access to Theo’s WhatsApp messages, which they are unable to override access to for legal reasons.
“We know that Theo used WhatsApp the night he disappeared,” he said.
“We understand the politics about confidentiality and respect that.
“However, this is a question of providing assistance to a person in grave danger.
“It is vital that investigators get access to Theo’s WhatsApp account without delay.
“Every minute counts.”
NSW Police have been “baffled” by Theo’s disappearance, Tweed-Byron Police District Commander Superintendent David Roptell said.
He said police are inquiring with Whatsapp and its owners Facebook about accessing the messages.
Police will release later on Monday footage of Theo at the bottleshop, where he was spotted wearing a grey hat, a black jumper, khaki trousers and black suits.
Theo’s phone last picked up a signal at 1.42pm on June 1.
Police are continuing with an extensive search of the Byron Bay area, including focusing on Monday at the Cape Byron Lighthouse.
While homicide detectives are helping the investigation, as well as Belgian authorities, Supt Roptell said he was still hopeful that Theo was alive.
“We’re just not clear at this point,” he said.
“It appears to be out of character. He was intending to go home. It’s baffling as to what’s occurred, but we’re not ruling anything out.”
Laurent Hayez thanked police, volunteers and the community for their help in looking for his son, as well as those who raised money to support the search.
He said any funds not used to find Theo will be donated to charities in Australia and Belgium dedicated to finding missing people.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.